Indiana state Rep. Vernon Smith, founder and board president of the African American Achievers, believes Black History Month in February is just one of the many reasons to applaud the accomplishments of Gary native-turned-Hollywood film star William L. Johnson.
February marks the 15th anniversary since Smith and the African American Achievers Youth Corps, Inc. first partnered with other local groups to sponsor the film festival dedicated to Johnson and hosted by the actor, who attended Wirt High School before graduating from Emerson Visual and Performing Arts High School.
The 15th annual Black Film Festival launches Friday, Feb 20, and is condensed this year from three days to two days of movie screenings and workshops at the Glen Theatre, 20 West Ridge Road in Gary. The 2026 festival includes genres of comedy, crime, drama, romance and thrillers, each with a specific Black-infused theme.
“To make it to a 15-year milestone year for this festival is a reason for all of us to be proud, and especially a chance to welcome home Bill Johnson as the inspiration for not just this festival but also for so many young people inspired by the arts,” Smith said.
The festival begins Friday and continues through Saturday with more than a dozen film selections, both full features and short subjects. The festival launches with a 6:30 p.m. reception Friday. Tickets are sold in advance for $20 and are available for $25 at the door. Saturday tickets sell for $15 in advance and $20 at the door.
Advance tickets are available by calling 219-887-2046; at Eventbrite.com; or by visiting filmfreeway.com/BillJohnsonBlackFilmFestival.
After the reception, the festival opens with a multi-screening of short films including “Unclaimed Seat,” “A Lovely Family,” “Threads of Forgiveness,” “Becoming Sidney” and “The Before and Angeleno.” The Friday feature film highlight is “Where is Your Faith?”, a 90-minute new film produced by and starring Bill Johnson, as a pastor questioning his faith as he tries to save an established woman parishioner contemplating ending her life after her faith is shaken by recent events.
On Saturday, the festival begins at 7 p.m. and opens with a series of short pieces including “King’s Betrayal,” “Frame of Evidence,” “The UNBecoming,” “High Road,” “A Night With No Gun” and “SOCRATES.” The feature film for the Saturday showcase is “Absence of Heart,” written by Andre T. Hillard and starring actor Johnson, detailing a husband’s office affair and how a young wife and mother opts to cope while dismissing treatment for her life-threatening illness in hopes of mending her splintered family.
“This is the first time in the past few years I’ve had some of my own completed films be included in the festival to be screened,” said Johnson, speaking by phone from his home in Los Angeles Tuesday.
“With technology and AI, so much has changed in this industry for filmmaking and screenwriting, to acting and voiceover careers. This is just one of the topics for our festival discussions and question-and-answer segments.”
Sponsors for the festival include Brother’s Keeper; Red Roses-Red Hatters Chapter; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority-Gamma Psi Omega Chapter and Sigma Phi Omega Chapter, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Omega Psi Phi-AKK Chapter; Froebel Alumni Park Committee; Gary Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority; Froebel Alumni Park Committee; Nat’l Hook Up of Black Women; and African American Achievers Youth Corp., Inc.
“I’m so blessed to be able to come back each year for this festival and for the many supportive friends and groups who make this event happen,” Johnson said.
“This isn’t an easy industry, but it’s so important to promote imagination and creativity for our young audiences and new generations.”
Philip Potempa is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
